RBBASS angler Amy Avedikian fished with the Fresno Bass Club as a non boater at Millerton Lake on October 20th and managed to take first place with 9.25 lbs and BIG fish of 3.15 lbs Here is what Amy had to say about that unforgettable day…
Millerton has never been a lake I enjoy fishing, I’ve actually said, “I hate this lake” more times than I can remember! It’s always been a tough lake for me to catch quality fish. I pre fished the Tuesday before the tournament with my favorite fishing partner Randy Flaming. We caught some keepers and I figured out what I was going to throw on Sunday for the tournament. I knew it was going to be tough fishing conditions with water temperatures still in the low to mid-70’s, a full moon and water levels dropping at more than a foot per day. A few weeks prior to this event California Bass Federation hosted the National semi-finals with Arizona at Millerton and a 2 day weight of 15 pounds won. Everyone was talking about how tough this lake was fishing.
I really was not looking forward to Sunday. I kept hearing everyone say how they struggled during pre fishing to even catch a single keeper. My boater for Sunday was Cory Kerber who is an outstanding net man and great angler/boater! He placed third in the tournament with 8.47 pounds.
I really struggled first thing in the morning. I threw around a Texas rig and a hula grub and just could not get bit. I was fishing about 5-30 feet. It was a cool crisp morning with the air temp about 50 degrees. There were about 3-4 boats in the same area I was fishing. Everyone around me was catching fish and keepers too. I started to question my fishing abilities, but I kept telling myself stay in it! My boater almost had a limit and I had zero fish!! Around 8:30, I caught my first keeper a whopping .94 pounds dragging my worm. That’s when it clicked in my head… I needed to slow down!!!! I started to fish slower and picked up a few small keepers. It was getting pretty warm out, so I decided I needed to take off my bibs. I casted out put my Stealthstixx rod between my legs and proceeded to take off my bibs. I had unzipped them and had one arm out when I felt my rod load up. I quickly set the hook and reeled in my big fish (3.15 pounds) with one arm in my bibs and one arm out!! That was a first! As the day went along I just kept making small culls! I culled about 3-4 times. It was a magical day for me beating 26 other anglers at a lake that I don’t hate anymore!! I will never ever forget this day!!! I will be fishing next month November 17th with the Fresno Bass Club at Lake McClure.
